Enzymatic demethylation of flavonoids

Abstract

The invention discloses the demethylation of 5-methoxyflavonoids by bacterial enzymes, the use of these enzymes in the production of phytoestrogens in vitro, and in pharmaceutical compositions in combination with a source of methylated 5-methoxyprenylflavonoids.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for producing 8-prenylnaringenin in vitro said method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing a first composition comprising an effective amount a bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of  Eubacterium limosum  LMG P-23546,  Eubacterium limosum  ATCC 8486, and  Peptostreptococcus productus  ATCC 27340, 
 b) contacting a second composition comprising isoxanthohumol with said first composition so as to allow dealkylation of said isoxanthohumol by said bacterial strain, and 
 c) recovering 8-prenylnaringenin produced. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , which further comprises enriching the dealkylating activity of said bacterial strain by repeated incubations with desmethylxanthohumol.